Preparatory Course for MBA Programme of Edinburgh Business School Hariot-Watt University Article

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Preparatory Course for MBA Programme of Edinburgh Business School Hariot-Watt University Article

This inaugural course offered by HKU SPACE aims to prepare students enrolled in the distanced programme for their examinations and to enrich their overall learning experience. “As most students of the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme have left campus for a relatively long time, they need to re-hone or re-build their skills in public examination so as to pass the papers. Our teaching team, formed by outstanding academics and experienced industry practitioners, not only extract the most important elements from the modules for students to study in a more effective way, but also boosts their examination skills – from answering techniques to time management and writing skills - by guiding them to practise with past examination papers,” says Dr Josephine Jim, associate head and senior programme director of HKU SPACE’s College of Business and Finance.

To finish and obtain the Edinburgh Business School MBA awarded by the Heriot-Watt University, students are required to complete seven core and two elective courses and pass the examinations. Generally students enrolled in the programme in Hong Kong take two subjects respectively for the two examination periods held in June and December of each year, and on average spend two years to obtain the MBA. "Although the MBA is renowned for its high flexibility as students are allowed to decide on the course and how many courses to study each semester, the University provides guidelines and suggestions for them to follow, based on the level of difficulty and scope of subjects as well as their relativity. For instance, they are advised to take Organisational Behavior, which is relatively broad in scope and easy to understand at the very beginning, and then take Strategic Planning, which requires a whole set of skills and management knowledge as the last subject of the whole programme," says Dr Jim.

Since its establishment in 1821, the Heriot-Watt University has been at the forefront of the international education field and its Edinburgh Business School MBA has already attracted well over 22,000 students to enroll and graduate. The university is renowned for its diversity in languages - English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian – and in student admission as well. As for the students who do not initially meet its entry requirements, they are allowed to enroll into three courses (including at least one core course) and once they pass the subjects they become matriculated students and stay on. If they choose to finish their study after passing three courses (including at least one core course), they are eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration; after passing six courses (including at least one core course), they are eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Distance learning provides students with a high degree of autonomy and liberty in studying, it would make, however, the students lonely and isolated and in the worst case, quit. “Some students are not able to keep the momentum and passion - which they have at the beginning - the study requires all the way. One of our objectives is to provide an opportunity for them to meet and exchange views. And as students of HKU SPACE, they receive full academic support and guidance from us, including access to the library services at the University of Hong Kong, online learning facilities at HKU SPACE and Edinburgh Business School," says Dr Jim. She adds that HKU SPACE has plans to collaborate with other overseas Approved Learning Partners to hold student exchange activities, which will broaden enrolled students' horizons and business vision.

Available in Chinese and English, the preparatory course begins in March and the second 2013 intake is in September. "The 36-hour preparatory course in Chinese is designed for those students whose bachelor degree was not taught in English. While the length of the course in English is 24 hours and students can also choose the 8-hour Examination Only course to practise with past examination papers," Dr Jim says.

"Apart from the provision of course content in accordance to programme syllabus and modules, our teaching team also provides additional material such as sharing of case studies and industry practice in the region. I believe these extra materials are able to add value to every preparatory course," Dr Jim concludes.